Whitmer vows to fight for healthy climate plan, while expanding home energy rebates
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she would stand by her climate goals amid a challenging federal landscape during the MI Healthy Climate Conference in Detroit on April 23, 2025. | Kyle Davidson
Amid a challenging federal landscape for climate action, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, speaking Wednesday at the 2025 MI Healthy Climate conference in Detroit, stood firm on the goals outlined in her climate plan, renewing her commitment to bring the state to 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.
'Last year, we had a federal government that joined us in the fight for climate action. They worked hard to protect our air and land and water, and made historic investments in our clean energy effort,' Whitmer said.
'Now we have a government that calls climate change a hoax and wants to repeal clean energy investments, slow growth and they're skirting legal processes to cut hundreds of policies that help protect our air, land and lakes from pollution, waste and dangerous chemicals,' Whitmer said before pointing to an executive order that she said targets states who have passed laws to address climate change.
However, Michigan is not backing down in its climate efforts, Whitmer said, noting that Michigan is also seeing increased opportunities in clean energy jobs and electric vehicle manufacturing.
'We have an opportunity to take the lead on climate, an opportunity to continue creating good paying jobs and an opportunity to show the world what Michigan can do,' she said.
As states serve as laboratories for democracy within our federal system, those states are on the frontline in the fight against climate change, Whitmer said, pledging not to abandon the goals outlined in her MI Healthy Climate plan.
In that vein, Whitmer announced the launch of a statewide home energy rebate program in hopes of saving Michiganders costs on their energy bills.
According to a statement from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, up to 15,000 homes will benefit from the program's rollout, as households are eligible for up to $34,000 in rebates from the program's two efforts.
The first offers rebates to address the up front cost of whole-home energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation, air sealing and heating and cooling. Households are eligible for up to $20,000 in rebates through this program.
The second will help reduce the upfront cost of energy efficient electric appliances and equipment, offering up to $840 for an electric stove or dryer; $1,750 for a heat pump water heater; $1,600 for insulation, air sealing and ventilation; $2,500 for electric wiring upgrades and $8,000 for a heat pump for heating or cooling, with households eligible for a maximum of $14,000 in rebates.
Renters and homeowners interested in the program can find more information about the program and how to apply at Michigan.gov/HomeEnergyRebates or by dialing the CLEAResult Call Center at 855-510-7080.
When a household's application is approved, they will be directed to select an program-approved contractor to conduct a home assessment with eligible rebate work to be completed by the program's contractors. For low-income households, 100% of the work is covered.
The program also aims to support jobs in construction; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; energy efficiency and appliance installation. The state is encouraging contractors to sign up online to become an eligible program contractor, directing any questions to mihercontractor@wmenergy.com. Contractors can also receive bonuses for certain projects in eligible communities.
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